Take the Compliment, Crazy!

I haven't written in the past couple of days but I have to admit it has been in part due to my disappointment of the scale.  I hate the scale it is not showing much change (maybe a pound).  Technically even for those my size it is healthy to lose 1-2 pounds a week anything over that is not necessarily health and has a good chance of being only temporary weight loss.  I am a scale watcher.  This is actually very dangerous for those trying to get healthy and lose weight.  I weigh myself almost daily.  I have been told that I am looking like I am losing but I ignore what people say due to the scale saying otherwise.  Muscle is denser so 1 pound of muscle looks like less than 1 pound of fat....so technically I could be replacing fat with muscle right now.  If anyone ever compliments you, don't be crazy and ignore it or brush it aside!  I remember a brother in my church complimented me on a dress I wore one time saying I looked pretty;I brushed it off and said something like "Eh...only cost me $8 and I haven't worn it before."  He then proceeded to point out that I do not take compliments and if I continue to not take them none will be given out (now EVERYBODY likes compliments).  These are the friends you need in your life!  My trainer today reminded me yet again to accept what people are saying.  She notices a difference and that it is too early to see significant changes in the scale.  I do not notice much difference except for: increased energy level and I am slightly stronger.  Other changes such as inches will take me a little longer to see because I live with my self 24 hours a day 7 days a week, all 60 minutes of that hour and all 60 seconds of that minute.  The only One (capitalization on purpose) that can see you that often and still notice a change is G-O-D. 

Workout today was pretty intense.  I did 15 minutes on the elliptical on a level 8 resistance and 15 minutes on a stationary bike on Level 5.  My trainer then proceeded to do strength training; having to climb steps weights, resistance bands.  I was breathless by the time I left there; but I am looking forward to climbing those steps and not being so breathless until they make me do it with a weighted vest. 

I have learned today that consistency in sleep and eating is VERY important.  Here's a "secret" of how I have been living:  Eat lunch at noonish and dinner when I get home; weekends eat dinner only (because I am too exhausted to eat sooner).  Not only am I not eating breakfast (which it really is helpful to eat 3 meals a day with snacks in between -lost weight this way before) BUT I am also messing up my metabolism and slowing it down. I am making my body go into starvation mode so when I do eat it stores up what I just ate as fat; now I already have a medical problem with a slow metabolism but I guess I don't think it is slow enough so I am slowing it down more.  Chris was very frustrated with me on Sunday when I ate for the first time at 3:00pm.  I need to adjust my sleeping and try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day and try to stop sleeping in if I am not working.  The only thing to figure out is how can I get that much if I am the type of person to get up every hour?  Guess it will change at some point.  All of these habits are "normal" for me.  Time to rewrite Allison's normal and help my body. 

I think this journey thus far has been eye opening.  I am having to change so much about my lifestyle.  We have been doing fairly well with eating "clean" foods.  I did eat a cupcake today but said "No" to Doritos and chips on Monday.  Weak willed moment and honestly I used the cupcake to reward myself.  This too is a big no, no. If a person who is trying to quit smoking rewards themselves with a cigarette what would that do?  Cause them to stumble and go back to smoking.  Same thing for food.  Does this mean I deny myself completely of these things? Not all of the time but NEVER excuse eating something "unhealthy" because you "deserve it" for exercising so much....etc.....